On the introduction of the new measure in England today, health chiefs have said that, while infection rates remain high across the country, the vast majority of people with positive lateral flow results can be confident they have COVID-19.
Before the introduction of the measure today, people without symptoms who tested LFT positive were asked to order a PCR test, and were then told to only begin their isolation period when they get the PCR result, which effectively required them to isolate for longer than seven days.
Awaiting PCR results was said to be a cause of delay to the official start of isolation for hundreds of thousands of people.
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Growing delays in getting PCR test results were also widely reported across the UK.
As lateral flow tests should only be taken by people who do not have COVID symptoms, the UKHSA confirmed that people experiencing the three official COVID symptoms – which are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – will still be expected to get a PCR, however.
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Follow-up PCR tests are no longer required for asymptomatic people who test positive on lateral flows / Credit: Flickr (Tom Wolf)
People who test positive on lateral flow tests will still need to isolate for at least seven days and register their positive results, and those with symptoms should self-isolate even if they have had a recent negative lateral flow test, as rules for symptomatic people have not changed.
Speaking on the introduction of this temporary measure today, Dr Jenny Harries – Chief Executive of the UKHSA – said: “This is a tried and tested approach.
“With COVID cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate COVID-19 without the need for PCR confirmation. If you test positive on an LFD, you should self-isolate immediately and register your result to allow contact tracing to take place [and] it also remains really important that anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test via gov.uk, or by phoning 119.”
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“I’m really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and self-isolate when necessary, along with other practical and important behaviours to limit transmission of the virus,” Dr Harries continued.
“This is the most effective way of stopping the spread of infection and keeping our friends, families and communities safe.”
When you take a rapid lateral flow COVID-19 test, always remember to report the result.
Whether it is positive, negative or void, reporting results is a great way to help the NHS reduce the spread of the virus.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 10, 2022
The UKHSA said that the this new change is just a “temporary measure” to while COVID rates remain high and will free up capacity in laboratories for PCR tests for those who do have symptoms, and would allow those who are asymptomatic – about 40% of cases – to return to work more quickly.
Under current guidelines, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be able to leave self-isolation seven days after the date of their initial positive test, providing they receive two negative lateral flow test results, taken 24 hours apart, on days six and seven.
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Emily Sergeant -
11th January 2022 
